Alava. In Spain, archaeologists find a Roman city and the remains of a circus that once hosted chariot races.
Archaeologists are in the north of Spain in the remains of a circus in Roman period found, in which probably also Horse-drawn carriage racing happened. According to a statement from the Provincial Council of Álava Archaeologists Using laser beams, previously unknown structures of an entire Roman city were discovered, including the remains of the circus.
Researchers mapped the site of Iruña Veleia in what is now Álava, a province in the Basque Country. This is what they used to lead (Light Detection and Ranging), in which laser pulses are directed at the landscape from above and measured as they are re-radiated to image the terrain surface, the statement said.
Archaeologists: Circus had space for 5 thousand people
The aerial photo shows several structures spread across the 251-hectare site, including the 280-meter-long and 72-meter-wide Roman structure “Circus” Arena, which had a capacity for 5,000 spectators and where chariot races took place. This is only the third known Roman circus site in the Iberian Peninsula.
Also interesting
Chariot racing Horse racing was a popular pastime in ancient Rome. In fact, there was an entire industry focused on it. And just like today’s avid sports fans, enthusiasts flocked to their favorite stables of horses and charioteers and traveled from all over to cheer them on, according to the World History Encyclopedia.
Arcaded streets, residential areas and meeting rooms
Next to the arena they opened Archaeologists Lidar also covered arcaded streets, residential areas, meeting rooms for religious services and buildings used for urban sanitation and water supply. The city center is “a jewel yet to be discovered,” the statement said.
“The discovery is very important and confirms once again that Iruña Veleia is a large ancient site with great archaeological and historical research potential,” Ana del Val, a representative of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sports, said in the statement. The researchers said they hope the site will receive “the attention it deserves to protect, study, add value and create prosperity for the entire area.”